Massaging and exercising apparatus



Dec. 15, 1931. w. A. MATHESON MASSAGING AND EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 8, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 15, 1931. w. A. MATHE SON HASSAGINE AND EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 8, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 15, 1931. w. A. MATHESON I IASSAGING AND EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 8, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 :WF/ g Dec. 15, 1931. w, MATHESON 1,836,981

HASSAGING AND EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 8. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 15, 1931 V i "1,s36,9s1

PATENT OFFICE. f

T WILLIAM A. murnnson. or :cnIdaGo/nriuors', ASSIGNOR T BOLL A-WAY BED oonrom'rrou, or CHICAGO, LLmo s, A coarorwrrou or ILLINOIS i Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 77 of i lapsed; v I I Fig. 4 is a section taken on'line of vention; and

meme nun nxhaorsmo Arramuus Application filed Aug11s1;:8, 1 927. Serial at. 211,441.

My invention relates to massaging and exercising apparatusand has among its other objects,- the production of apparatus ofthe kind described that is exceedingly compact in construction and is provided with means whereby a relatively large variety of exercis es maybe practiced.

A particular ob ect of theinvention is to' provide an improved truck for supporting the apparatus when it is not in use. I

Another particular ob ect ofthe 1 having improved mechanism whereby' rowmg exerclses may be'practlced; 1

Many other objects and dvant ges the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from characters indicate like or corresponding parts: I I r I Fig. 1 is a plan elevation of a device which embodies the invention; v

Fig. 2 is a'side elevation of theimproved device;

Fig. 3 is anend elevation of the improved device shownin Figs. 1 and 2, a collapsible.

truck which forms part of the device being illustrated as it appears whenit is not col- Fig. 1; V I

Fig. 5 is a section taken:on-line 5-5 of Fig. 1; 7

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line of Fig.1; 7 I Fig. 8 is a section takenonline 8 8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9. is section taken on' line9,9 of Fig. 8; 1

a device embodying another form of the innvention is to-provide apparatus of -the kind described Fig. 111 is a section taken on line'11'11 of Fig. 10;

1 Referring inclusive, wherein I have illustrated one form of my invention embodied ina device which resembles, to some extent, the devices shownin 'my copending "application, Serial No.- 180,27 8, filed April 1st,1927, the reference characters and 16 designate longitudinally extending side: members of a frame which supports my improved massagin and exercising apparatus. The side mem ers 15 and 16' may be of any.suitablefconstruction but I preferablyform them from sheet metal, each of the side members j preferably comprising beams 18 and19 which extend between posts or columns 20 and 21. v beams 18and 19 of each of the side members is preferably closed by webs 22 which, of course, cause the side members to become relafor the present to Figs.1 to

The space between the V tivel rigid. It will be noted that an arcuate portlon 24 of each of the beams 18 is provided with means for mounting a plurality of rollers 25 and that these rollers are arranged so thatthey conform approximately to the curvature of ones back. As set forthin the above-mentioned copending application, thi s. insures that they will thoroughly massage the muscles of the back when the apparatus is used for this purpose. It willbe noted that the portions of the beams 18 and 19 intermediate the rollers 25 and the posts or columns 21 are also arcuate and are so designed that they .are at a lower elevation than the arcuate portions '24. This construction allows one to quickly and easily seat oneself upon theroll- 'ers 25 and then place ones feet inthe stirrups hereinafter described.

upon a rod or shaft 26 which has its-endsrotatably journaled in-bores27 formed in bear-' I ing members 28 which are 'mounted in the' beams 18L Each bearing member 28 is rigid ly secured to its associated beam 18 by aboltt r 29 and. the bolts are ,arrangedso that (they Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan elevation of limit longitudinal displacementofthexrods V or shafts 26 (see Fig. 6).

or columns 21 somewhat taller than the posts 20 so that hand grips 31 projecting inwardly from the posts may be preferably positioned With respect to the rollers 25. The purpose of the hand grips 31 is set forth in detail in my aforementioned copending application. The posts 21 also carry pins 33 to which sandels or stirrups 341 are secured, the construction being such that when one lies on the rollers 25, ones feet may be inserted in the stirrups and the body may be drawn back and forth over the rollers to massage it.

Adjustably secured to the side frames 15 and 16 are hand grips 36 which, as best shown in Fig. 7, are secured to rods 38 which are pivoted by pins 37 to rods 39, the rods 38 and 39 being slidably journaled in bores 1.0v forn1- ed in the tubular members 41. The tubular members 41 are rigidly secured in the side frames 15 and 16 and, in addition to the bores 40,areprovidedwithbores 43 to communicate with the bores through bores 44 of relatively small diameters. in bores 44 are bolts 45 which have their upper ends screw-threaded into thelower ends of the rods 39. Carried by the means of the bolts45 are. washers 47, or the equivalent,

which preferably fit snugly in the bores43.

and limit displacement of the bolts 45 in an upward direction. However, the construction is such that the rod 39 associated with each hand grip 36 may be brought into a position corresponding to the position in which one of the rods .39 is shown in Fig. 7. This permits thehand grip 36 and its associatedrod 38 to be brought into the positions where'- in they are. shown in dotted lines in Fig. "7 so that the improved massaging and exercising device maybe stored under a. bed, or the like, when not in use. This construction is similar to the construction shown in my copending application.

Extending between the side frames 15 and 16 intermediate the ends thereof is a transverse frame member which carries a housing 51. J ournaled in the housing 51 is a substantially U-shaped bar 52 to which a pulley 53, or the equivalent, is rigidly secured, the pulley being disposed within the housing 51. A belt 55,0r the equivalent, which hasone of its ends secured by rivets 57 to the frame member 50 is trained'around the pulley 53 and has its other end secured to one end of a holt.59 or the equivalent, which is slidably journaled in the frame'member 50. Interposed between the frame member'50 and a wing nut 60 screw-threaded upon the bolt 59' is a helical compression spring 62 which draws the belt into frictional engagement with the periphery of the pulley 53. Obviously, the wing nut may be manipulated to regulate the tension to which'the belt 55 is subjected.

The two substantially parallel arms of the U-sh'aped bar 52 are identified by the refer- Slidably ournaled ence character 64 and, as best shown in Fig. 8, the arms 64 are preferably tubular so that tubes 65 may telescope therein. Rigidly secured to the outer end of each tube 65 is a hand grip 66 which may be brought into a plurality-of adjusted positions by sliding the tube into or out of the associated arm 64. Means is preferably provided for locking the tubes 65 in adjusted positions in their respective arms 64, this means preferably comprising, in each instance, a pin 67 having a head 68 engageable with apertures 69 formed in the associated tube. Each pin 67 is slidably mounted in a tubular member 70 which is rigidly secured to the associated arm 64c, a compression spring 71 being interposed between the head 68 and the tubular member '70 to urge the head toward the associated tube 65. A head 73 is preferably provided upon the outer end of each pin 67 so that the pin may be withdrawn from the apertures 69. It is readily understood that with this arrangement, the hand grips 66 may be locked in a plurality of adjusted positions with respect to the pivotal aXis of the U-shaped bar At one of its ends, the frame is preferably provided with a transverse bar 76 which is rigidly secured to the side members 15 and 16.. Secured to the transverse bar 76 is a collapsible truck which is designated in general by the reference character 78. The truck 78 preferably comprises two U-shaped bars 80 and 81 and the U-shaped bar 81 has a flat bar. 83 securedto it, the flat bar 83 being secured by screws 84-, or the equivalent, to the transverse bar 76. The U-shaped bar 80 is secured by hinges 86 to the bar 81 and it may be brought into the position wherein it is shown in full lines in Fig. 4 when the improved exercising and massaging device is in use. However, when the truck'is to be used to support the improved device, the bar 80 is brought into the position wherein it is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 so that the device may be turned up on end. The U- shaped bars 80 and 81 are each preferably provided with a plurality of casters 88 so that the improved device may be wheeled into any desired position. Thus, the device may be stored in a closet, or the like, when not in use.

It will be noted that each of the U-shaped bars 80 and 81 is provided with a groove 90 adapted to hold a strip of felt 92, or of any equivalent, compressible material such as rubber, so that when the device is wheeled across a room, or the like, the truck will not mar the walls or furniture of the room. It will also be noted that when the improved device is placed on end and is supported by the truck, all parts thereof are within the boundaries of the truck. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the columns or posts 20 and 21 are providedv with tips or feet neabgeer 93 which are preferably formed of rubber, felt, or some other material which will not mar the surface upon which the-improved explained the purpose of the hand grips 31 and 36 and the stirrups 34. With respect to the hand grips 66, it will be readily understood that one may sit upon the rollers 25 and place ones feet in the stirrups 34 and then practice a rowing exercise by moving the hand grips 66 against the action of the belt 55 upon the pulley 53. Obviously, the person taking the exercise may adjust the spring 69 as desired and may bring the hand grips 66 into convenient positions with respect to the pivotal axisof the U-shaped bar 52. p 3

Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, wherein I have shown apparatus embodying another form of the invention, the reference character designates a frame which is substantially identical with the frame shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, the frame 100 being provided with rollers 101 and hand grips 102 and 103 which correspond to the aforementioned rollers 25 and hand grips 31 and 36, respectively. The frame is also provided with stirrups 104 which correspond to the aforementioned stirs rups 34. In Figs. 10 and 11, I have not shown the entire device but it is readily understood that the frame 100 is preferably mounted upon a truck which corresponds to the truck 78.

In place of the U-shaped bar 52 and-the apparatus associated therewith, I have provided two substantiallyL-shaped bars 106 comprising tubular arms 107 in which tubes 108 telescope. Hand grips 110 are secured to the outer ends of the tubes 108 and pins 111 substantially identical with the aforementioned pins 67 are provided for securing the tubes 108 and the hand grips 110 in adjusted positions with respect to the tubular arms 107. Each bar 106 comprises a shaft portion 114 which is pivotally mounted in a housing 115 carried by a transverse bar 116 which constitutes part of the frame 100. Constrained to rotate with each shaft portion 114 is a pulley 117 around which a belt 118 is trained. One end of thebelt 118 is secured by rivets 120, or the equivalent, to the transverse bar 116 and the other end'of the belt is secured to one end of a bolt 122, the bolt 122 being slidably journaled in the transverse bar 116. A compression spring 127 is disposed-around each bolt 122 and is interposed between the bar 116 and the wing nut 128 screw-threaded upon the bolt. Obvious. iv, the wing nut 128 may be'manipulated to regulate the tension. which the associated spring 127 exerts upon the associatedbelt118.

hpparatusshown in Figs. 10 and lids employed 'in substantially the same manner as the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 9, 1a clusiv'e,w1th the exception, however, that the hand grips 110 ofjFi s. 10 and 11 maybe displaced independent y of each other while the hand grips 66 shown in Fig. 4 must be :ngularly displaced in unison around the pivotal axisoftheU-shaped bar 52 I-Iaving thus described my invention, it is obvious:thatfvarious immaterial modifications maybe made in the same without departing thespirit of my invention; hence I donot wish to be understood as limit-' in'g' rnyselfi-to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts here in shown and described,or uses mentioned.

*What mmas new by Letters Patent is: V d d :1; Apparatusof the kind described comand desire to secure prising a frame, a plurality of rollers arranged .transverselfy in one portion of said frame and spaced r rollers disposed in a convex curve longitudinally of saidframe', theportion of the frame intermediate said rollers and saidend being lower in height than the portion in which the rollersaremounted, foot restsat said end, a

pulley rotatably mounted in said frame, a

belt fri'ctionally engaging the pulley to resist rotation thereof, and a' lever manually o rable to angularly displacesaid pulley against the action ofsaid belt. p I

1 '2'.1A:pparatus of the kind described comprising a frame, a plurality of roller'sflrevolubly mounted on said frame and spaced from one end thereof, means adjacent said end forengaging the 'feet'of a person supported on said rollers, a pair oflevers mounted'on said frame between said rollers and said end and movable toward said rollers and toward said end, and means for rendering diflicult the movement of said levers.

3. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a frame, a plurality of rollers revolubly mounted 1n a convex arc on said frame and spaced from one end thereof, means adjacent said end for engaging the feet of a .person supported on said rollers, a pair of levers mounted on said frame between said om one end thereof, said rollers and said end and movable toward H said rollers and toward said end, and means for rendering diflicult-the movement of said levers.

' 4. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a frame, a plurality ofrollers revolublymountedon said frame and spaced from one end thereof, means adjacent said end for V engaging the feet of a person supported on said rollers, a pair of levers mounted on said 1 frame between said rollers and said end and movable toward said rollers and toward said end, a pulley secured to said levers for movement therewith, and means for yieldably restraining rotation of said pulley.

5L1Apparatusof the kind described comprising a frame, a plurality of rollers revolubly mounted in'a convex are on said frame and spaced fromone endthereof, means adjacent said end for engaging the feet of a person supported on said rollers, a pair of levers mounted on said frame between said rollers and said endr'and movable toward said rollers and toward said end, a ulley secured to said levers for movementt erewith,and means for yieldably restraining rotationof said pulley. r

6.' Apparatus of thekind described comprising a frame,.a plurality of rollers revolubly mountedon said frame and spaced from one end thereof, means adjacent said end for engaging the vfeet of a person supported on said rollers, a pair of levers mounted on said frame between said rollers and said end and movable toward said rollers and toward said end, a. pulley secured to said levers for movement therewith, and means for frictionally restraining rotationvof said pulley.

7. Apparatus of the kind described com prising a frame, a plurality of rollers revolubly mounted in a convex are on said frameand spaced from one end thereof,-means adjacent said end for engaging the feet of, a

person supported on said rollers, a pair'of levers mounted on said frame between said rollers and said end and movable toward said rollers and'toward said end, a pulley secured to said levers for movement therewith, and means for frictionally restraining rotationof said pulley. i

In'witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name. 7

' WILLIAM A. MATHESON. 

